The Basic Methods of Pearl Farming: A Layman's Manual - CTSA

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Basic Methods of Pearl FarmingBefore starting mabe culture, look for a buyer.The buyer can tell you how to prepare the mabe for harvest. In some cases, they may want you to sendthe entire shell without cutting out the half-pearl. However, if you can cut them out yourself it is moreprofitable to you because you can use the remaining parts of the shell for production of handicrafts.However, if you do not have the proper tools or sufficient skill to cut out the mabe, then do not riskruining the mabe and just sell the entire shell.Mabe require processing before they can be made into jewelry.The mabe that are embedded in the shell will be cut out of the shell leaving about 0.5 in (1 cm) betweenthe edge of the mabe and the cut. The plastic form will either be popped out or drilled out, leaving onlythe nacre covering. The resulting hole will be filled with epoxy, then glue on a mother-of-pearl backing.It takes some skill to do this well, so normally farmers will simply sell the unprocessed mabe.Page 62
Selling pearls and pearl productsSelling pearls and pearl productsMost farmers sell pearls directly to buyers, who will often attend the harvest, particularly if the harvestis a large one or many farmers are participating. The buyer will want to grade the pearls, meaningevaluate the quality of each pearl. The farmer can also market his pearls directly to jewelers or wholesalers,but this requires travel and a good knowledge of pearl grading and pricing.Pearls are usually sold as lots, although individual pearls may also be sold.A harvest will usually be divided into lots of pearls of similar size and quality. The buyer will then paya set price for the entire lot. Some buyers will want to buy only individual pearls that are large or ofparticularly high quality. If the best pearls are removed from the lot, it may be difficult to sell theremaining pearls since there will be fewer choice pearls to tempt the buyer. Until a farmer has a goodknowledge of pearl grading and marketing, it will generally be advantageous to sell the pearls in lots.The quality and price of a pearl depends on several factors: size, shape, luster, color,orient and texture.A “good” or “high” quality pearl is large, round, lustrous, smooth without flaws and possesses aniridescent quality.Size is one of the main determinants of price.Pearl sizes are measured by the diameter in millimeters. They may also be weighed in mommes (3.75grams) or grams. Large pearls (over 12 mm) are much higher-priced than the smaller ones. For example,in 1992 the average price of a black pearl rated as fine, measuring 8 mm (0.32 in), was $285;while a 9-mm (0.36 in) pearl of the same quality was worth $385 – a difference of $100 for a 1-mm (0.6in) increase in size. The next size pearl (10 mm or 0.4 in) was worth $560, an increase of $175 for a 1-mm (0.6 in) increase in size. This progressively greater difference in price continues as pearls getlarger, explaining the reasons an experienced technician will be careful to use the largest size nucleuspossible. Every millimeter difference in size can mean a substantial increase in price.Pearls harvested so early that the nacre layer is very thin, are not only smaller, but are also considered tobe of lower quality because a thin nacre layer can easily crack. The luster and orient of thin nacre mayalso be of lesser quality. Your reputation as a pearl producer can suffer by attempting to sell pearls withthin nacre. A proper nacre layer should be at least 0.08-0.12 in (2-3 mm) thick, which takes approximately18-24 months. Therefore, it is wise not to harvest too early.Page 63
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CTSA Publication No. 127The Basic M
Page 3 and 4:
Table of ContentsTable of ContentsA
Page 5 and 6:
AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsThe a
Page 7 and 8:
IntroductionIntroductionThe purpose
Page 9 and 10:
A short history of pearl cultureA s
Page 11 and 12:
Benefits of pearl cultureBenefits o
Page 13 and 14:
Basic biology and ecologyBasic biol
Page 15 and 16: Basic biology and ecologyPearl oyst
Page 17 and 18: Overview of pearl farmingOverview o
Page 19 and 20: Determining if pearl farming is pos
Page 25 and 26: Selecting a siteSelecting a site fo
Page 27 and 28: How to setup the farmHow to setup t
Page 29 and 30: How to setup the farmA word about d
Page 31 and 32: How to setup the farm3. Underwater
Page 33 and 34: Preparing the pearl oysters for han
Page 35 and 36: Guidelines for keeping pearl oyster
Page 37 and 38: General farm managementGeneral farm
Page 39 and 40: Handling and transportHandling and
Page 41 and 42: Handling and transportTransporting
Page 43 and 44: Spat collectionSpat collectionSpat
Page 45 and 46: Spat collectionLeave about 13 in (3
Page 47 and 48: Spat collectionIn the southern hemi
Page 49 and 50: Spat collectionSpat are very sensit
Page 51 and 52: Disease and other causes of deathDi
Page 53 and 54: Disease and other causes of deathOt
Page 55 and 56: Nucleus implantation (grafting)Nucl
Page 57 and 58: Nucleus implantation (grafting)Pear
Page 59 and 60: Nucleus implantation (grafting)Post
Page 61 and 62: HarvestHarvestHarvest pearls when t
Page 63 and 64: Half-pearl (mabe) implantationHalf-
Page 65: Half-pearl (mabe) implantationFigur
Page 69 and 70: Selling pearls and pearl productsOn
Page 71 and 72: AppendixAppendixBudgets for small a
Page 73 and 74: ($48,145 - $38,713)AppendixTable 2.
Page 75 and 76: Table 5. Costs (for operating farm
Page 77 and 78: GlossaryGlossaryBaroque: irregularl
Page 79 and 80: SuppliersSuppliers of aquaculture a
Page 81 and 82: SuppliersAquatic Ecosystems Inc.176
Page 83 and 84: BibliographyBibliographyGeorge, C.D
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The Basic Methods of Pearl Farming: A Layman's Manual - CTSA

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